A Picture Book About Lockdowns

Be at the forefront of your child's experience with drills.

*All profits are donated to gun violence prevention.

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Lockdown Conversation Guide

Featured on Stop the Killing

I was honored to be a guest on Stop the Killing, a podcast co-hosted by Katherine Schweit, the creator of the FBI’s active shooter program. We talked about the changes I helped implement at my school to increase safety and make our lockdown drills more efficient.

Part 1 (S4 E37)

Part 2 (S4 E38)

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 4:

Tomorrow we’ll talk about the three “goals” I recommend for you as you talk to your kid about drills.

Have you noticed the physiological impacts you have on your kid? Tell me about it! 👇

#momlife #momsofinstagram #dadsofinstgram #parenting #backtoschool

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no 3:

Recently I did a “quick dip” (like a “deep dive” but for lay people 😆) into the research assessing biological differences in animals depending on the care they received from their parent(s)/mother. It was wild!

I can’t adequately summarize this science but the sections below in quotes are from the abstract of the source I share later on in this caption:

Variations in maternal care in rats “alter the expression of genes that regulate behavioral and endocrine responses to stress…”

(The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs that produce and release hormones.)

“… as well as hippocampus synaptic development.”

(Hippocampus is a part of the brain that plays a vital role in learning, memory, and emotion.)

“These effects form the basis for the development of stable, individual differences in stress reactivity and certain forms of cognition.”

If you are looking for a quick dip or a deep dive, the following resource was a good starting point for me. It is from 2001 so be sure to check out more current studies by searching for where it has been cited.

Maternal Care, Gene Expression, and the Transmission of Individual Differences in Stress Reactivity Across Generations by Michael J. Meaney.

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp Post no 2:

Here are some adverse experiences that the report mentions outright:

- abuse,

- bullying,

- disasters,

- separation of immigrant children from their parents,

- poverty,

- racism,

- social isolation,

- exposure to neighborhood violence, and

- neglect.

Several of these are sometimes referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).

Would you add growing up with school shootings to this list? Why or why not?

Citation: Andrew Garner, Michael Yogman; COMMITTEE ON PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF CHILD AND FAMILY HEALTH, SECTION ON DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS, COUNCIL ON EARLY CHILDHOOD, Preventing Childhood Toxic Stress: Partnering With Families and Communities to Promote Relational Health. Pediatrics August 2021; 148 (2): e2021052582. 10.1542/peds.2021-052582

Lockdown Drill Bootcamp post no. 1:

Throughout this week, I’ll be sharing more of what this research says, as well as citing other experts, on the need for SSNR to buffer toxic stress. Follow along to learn more!

Did you know that relationships can buffer the biological changes that occur with stress AND build resilience? Have you seen this within your own relationships?

#backtoschool #fall #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #parentsofinstagram #parenting #parents #parentinglife #momsofinstagram #motherhood #momlife #dadsofinstagram #fatherhood #dadlife #usakids #momsofig #dadsofig

Hi! My name is Emily. I’m a mom to three young kids (and one 👼) and an author. I studied elementary education in college and began exploring how we talk to kids about hard topics at that time.

As my oldest prepared for kindergarten, I knew her life was about to be touched by our gun violence crisis in the form of lockdown drills. How could I support her? I wasn’t sure because the thought of something happening at school paralyzed me with fear.

I checked out all the books I could find but was still longing for something different. I needed something HONEST, but NOT scary, that ANSWERED HARD QUESTIONS beyond just “go in the corner, be quiet, and hope for the best.” 🥴

I needed something that empowered my daughter to prioritize her safety above all else.

This resource needed to exist so I spearheaded the project. Thankfully, several people in the field of active shooting response reviewed my work and gave insight, including the creator of the FBI’s active shooter program, @kateschweit. Her attention to this book, as well as the input of others, ensures it is in line with best practices!

Along the route to create this book, I learned so much about lockdown drills and even a bit about prevention. So from now through the fall we are chatting about it all - why it’s important and how to talk to kids about drills, best practices for drills, how to speak up if change is needed, and more!

I’ll always use my voice, pen, fingertips, and thumbs to speak about issues that are important to me. Given that I wrote a book about school sho*tings, having better laws that keep us safe from people who want to use guns to hurt others is obviously important to me.

Oh and this photo is from one of my favorite days when I was surprised with the BEA Friend of Education award in 2024! 🥹I was nominated by several school librarians after I gave public testimony and used newspaper op-Ed’s to ensure facts were included in the decision making process at my local schools and that fear didn’t drive policy.

I’d love to hear what this brings up for you! 💬👇

First highlight is up on my feed posted right after this one! Go check it out!

#momlife #momsofınstagram #backtoschool #usa #usaschools #kidslit #childrensbook

I made this video a few weeks ago and forgot to post it but hey, it’s still applicable. 🫠

#trump #medicade #snap #rurallife #ruralhealth #ruralhealthcare #montana

Before we jump into bootcamp next week, can I share a character highlight with you?

If you’re new here, I’m (suuuuper slowly) working on a novel. When I finish “interviewing” a character I share a highlight here. I’ve finished the first interview so this is our first highlight!
—————————
Meet Harlan

The son of a Bozeman real estate mogul, this adventure-seeker knows how to use his family’s name, and his own self-developed charm, to tip life (and people) in his favor.

Connections and money will take him wherever he’d like to go. And his Dad has a map of all the places that *should* be.

Yet it’s not the other kids from wealthy social circles with whom he spends time. Rather, his best friends since early childhood, Wesley and Melanie, who are both from humbler backgrounds.

Harlan is the thrill of the trio. Most Friday’s he crashes at Wesley’s house and starts Saturday with a “wake up! There’s mountains!” (As if existence of mountains were reason enough to get up.) Followed by a drive by to pick up Mel.

He’s the first to jump off a cliff and the last to take down his hammock.

But in the wake of Wesley’s unexpected and tragic death during their senior year of high school, Harlan is grappling with his long-standing desire to form his own life, and his innate tendency to take the easiest route forward.

Harlan is realizing just how much he’d come to rely on Wes’ influence, and finding out what life looks like without it.

#authorsofinstagram #authorlife #thrillerbooks #thrillerreads #amwritingfiction #contemporaryfiction

For music Monday I’m wondering why you’ve been sleeping on this banger from 2013…

Here’s why you’ll love it:

✅ vocals that resemble Panic at the Disco,

✅ musicality that resembles Maroon 5 2007-ish era,

✅ an outro that will make you drool, and

✅ the passion and desperation that is only found in Emo (I mean, he’s “not afraid to beg?” 😳😂)

Happy Monday! Are you familiar with this band?

Thanks for the hit that is still giving all feels years later @dividedbyfriday and @josephwilliammorgan!

The schedule for our Lockdown Drill Bootcamp is here! Launching Monday, July 7 here on this account!

Here’s a little more detail:

Week 1: we’ll explore the power of supportive adults in a child’s life when the child is experiencing something stressful.

Week 2: we’ll learn about how experts advise adults talk to kids about hard topics - and create some ideas for what that might look like when talking about lockdown drills.

Week 3: we’ll break down the critical tool of “reassurance” and consider how we can do that with something as uncertain as avoiding mass shootings.

Week 4: we’ll review best practices for lockdown drills so you can know if your child’s drill is up to par, and advocate if it’s not.

Week 5: we’ll delve into ideas for answering the “hard questions” that your child might ask. You know, the ones that freeze you in fear. It’ll be a harder week but necessary so that you’re prepped for anything your kid may throw your way. ❤️

Week 6: we’ll wrap it up and do Q and A.

Our goal is to learn a little every day amidst your casual scroll. You’ll end up being better prepared for back to school this fall, hopefully without any traumatizing deep dives.

All of it will be right here on this account! So take a second to add it to your favorites so you don’t miss a single post!

I’m excited to hang out with you more for the next several weeks!

Tell me though, does any of this seem like it will be helpful for you? If so, is there something specific that stands out?

#parenting #usa #momsofınstagram #dadsofinstagram #usaschools #backtoschool #buildingresilience #letstalkaboutit

Billings MONTANA showed up today!

This isn’t Bozeman. This isn’t Missoula.

It’s Billings.

I ran into a reporter who has been covering protests in Billings for 25 years. They had never seen a turnout like this!

#nokingsday #protest #american #nokings #nokingsprotest

The most chilling part? What my child’s teacher was doing at the time when she didn’t hear the gun, is what she does most days.

Standing in her room, talking / teaching.

Also, for clarification, of course the teachers who were near the officers that fired the gun heard it.

What do you think of this removal of taxes on gun suppressors?

#teachers #school #usaschools #bigbeautifulbill #teachersofinstagram

These little connections are my absolute favorite part of being an author! Hands down!

#authorvisit #kidslit #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #childrensbook #picturebook

In this regard, I’m actually really glad I published with a title that I now want to change because the door for partnering with a distributor opened back up!!! 🎉🙌

#indieauthor #writerlife #authorlife #publishing

Trying to land a book distributor, part 1.

This will be interesting and may just be a lot of me failing in public. 🫠

👇 In the comments tell me something you’ve always wanted to do but feels like a long shot. I’ll add some more of my own! 😂

Watch for part 2 where we’ll talk more about why I’m shooting for this! 🙏🤞

And this reel is long so set me on your counter while you do dishes or long press the right side to speed me up!

#indieauthor #publishingjourney #writerlife #bookstagram #authors #writingcommunity

I took some @sharonsaysso slides from this morning and pieced them together with my own thoughts to send to my Senator. Thanks Sharon!

Friends, feel free to copy any or all of this and send to your reps!

I’m trying snail mail now because my emails have seemed sooo pointless. 🫠 what is your perspective on that?

I’ll never stop using my love for writing to speak about things I care about.

#resistfascism #writer #writeyourreps

📚 Librarian, “do you want to go chat with the author for a bit before everyone comes down for the reading?”

👧 Second grader, “chat with the author? I can’t take that pressure!”

😂 We chatted and she “took the pressure” wonderfully.

What’s the funniest thing someone has said to you about something you do (hobby or job)?

I’m so thankful to our sponsors that made this visit possible - @realtor.rachel406 and @braverabank! It was such a positive experience and the kids were THRILLED to each get their own copy!

#authorvisit #schoolvisit #secondgrade #kidslit #childrenslibrarian

I’m always surprised how upset people online get when I say LOCKDOWN DRILLS SHOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE! 📣

Here are some reasons why, but you can find additional information and reputable sources on my most recent blog post.

Link in my bio!

#americanschools #lockdowndrill #teachertips #principal #publicschools

Let’s do something fun… 👇

I’m in the “pre-writing” and even “pre-outlining” phase of writing my novel.

Right now I’m thoroughly interviewing characters and getting to know them. I love the interview process because each character is so unique and stars to come into clear focus.

Their personalities take off! (And then they visit\haunt me throughout the day 😂)

There are at least six characters I’ll be interviewing for this book.

When I finish an interview, I’ll replace their icon above with one that tells you a little about them and include their name.

I’m so excited about this because I’m already wanting to give you spoilers! This way we can enjoy a little tease but leave lots to be revealed!

You in?!

#authorlife #author #thrillernovels #characterconcept

Watch this live and notice what an absolute treat it is that we have @theswimmingowl in this world!

She created her coloring book because when the world is heavy and dark she wants people to “have a soft place to land.” 🥹

It was so fun to see the artist behind the project and learn about her purpose!

You can buy a digital or hard copy of Charming Escape at her website in her bio!

Thank you, Melanie, for sharing your art with us! Please keep it up!

#launchday #coloringbooks #coloringbookforadults #noaiart #handdrawnart #supportartists

I’d love to have you join me on Friday to chat with my good friend Melanie! 🎨

The idea for this live happened organically.

Yesterday we were chatting my cover dilemma (if you’ve seen my stories, you get it!) and that morphed into chatting her new release on Friday. 🥳🎉🥂

I had so many questions and her answers were fascinating…

The coloring book is called Charming Escape. What’s the meaning behind the title?

What inspired this book? What’s its purpose?

What’s it like selling art for a living, especially with the political chaos lately? 🫠

Join me as we take a look at the behind the scenes of her new product ON ITS VERY LAUNCH DAY! 😁🤩

#BookLaunch #ColoringBook #BehindTheScenes #ArtTalk #SmallBusinessSupport #WomenInBusiness #ArtistInterview #IndieArtist #LaunchDayLove #ColorYourWorld #JoinUsLive #InstagramLive #CreativeCommunity

Thank you for having me @mtschoolcounselorassociation! It was a lovely experience and I hope your conference continues fantastically!

*******

Presenting at their spring conference went so well!

We discussed a lot of things including:

✅ general best practices for armed intruder training,

✅ tips for talking to young kids about lockdown drills, and

✅ how the school can better equip families to handle these convos like champs! 👊

Thanks to all of you who cheered me on as I tried something new!!!

#presenter #schoolcounselor #usaschools

I found my novel!! 🥳⭐️

Wait, did I tell you I lost it? 🤦‍♀️ about four months ago…

But I finally found it and cracked it back open!

I forgot a lot of details so rereading my work has been like, “ooo! That’s a cool idea!”

(and at other times I’m like, “I’m sorry, WHAT?” 😂)

I’m still in the very early outlining process and loving every second I spend on it.

This writing session was extra sweet while I held up a sleepy blonde head with my writing arm. 🥰

I’m averaging approximately 27 minutes on it per month.

Can’t wait for this book’s release sometime in 2058!!! 🤣

What are you slowly chipping away at?

#authorsofinstagram #writingcommunity #momswhowrite #fiction #thrillernovel #outlining #characterinterview

The plot twist about george! 😂 and this author visit had the SWEETEST ending I’ve ever experienced! 🥹

Second graders rock!

#authorlife #authorsofinstagram #authorvisit #elementaryschool #usaschools #secondgrade

Look at all of these beautiful books and bookmarks going to second graders this week thanks to @masterlube!

Through the Sponsor a School program, I witness the priorities of each organization to whom I pitch in real time.

Does it give you hope and make your heart warm when I tell you some organizations are actively considering how they can help their community?

They are trying to be profitable, sure. But they are also saying, “what do we have to share? And how can we help those around us?”

I pitched to @masterlube because they have a reputation as a builder of my community. I was not disappointed!

I left that meeting confident that they care about families and school children in my town. It was those values that motivated their generous donation!

Thank you, @masterlube, for helping over 100 families better support their children as they experience lockdown drills!

(Side note, I’ve been a longtime customer of masterlube and I love them! They change my oil quick enough that I don’t even have to unbuckle my kids! That is such a treat at this phase of life!)

#authorlife #authorsofinstagram #momlife #momsofinstagram

Sometimes it just takes one brave step…

#authorsofinstagram

For the first time ever, someone in Canada bought my book.

I was surprised when I saw the order come in.

And then I wondered if they bought it to help families talk about lockdown drills in Canada or if they bought it to add to their collection on USA culture. 🤔

I included a little note thanking them for doing business with me and apologizing for President Trump’s trade war. 😆 #allies #neighbors #canada #internationalmarket

And I learned that shipping my book to Canada costs $26! I’ll have to change my $4-ish international shipping charge. 🫠

So much of this journey has been a dive in and learn experience. It is fun to feel like I’m growing and tweaking my business a little more each day! #smallbusiness #indieauthor #selfpublishing #kidslit

What is something you “learned as you went?”

Flash EMDR helped me so much and so quickly! How cool to live in a time with tools like these.

My therapist explained it’s like putting a time stamp on the memory. My brain now knows it’s in the past, I can’t help any more, so I don’t need to be thinking about it all the time.

The memory is there if I ever need it. But it’s not popping out at me now.

Have you ever done or considered EMDR?

#trauma #emdr #flashemdr #juryduty

When talking to kids about hard topics, remember:

1) be honest - it builds trust that they can come to you for accurate information and that the topic isn’t too big FOR YOU.

2) be age appropriate by not giving more detail than necessary - for example, I didn’t explain how people were killed. If she had asked I would have said they were poisoned without elaborating on gas chambers, some being shot, tortured first, etc.

3) Focus on the helpers - this helps them maintain faith in humanity, admire the admirable, and develop their own moral compass.

4) Remember your biggest goals which are not leaving them to make sense of upsetting topics on their own and to opening doors for further conversations.

During this conversation I was kicking myself that I didn’t have more “helper” stories that centered Jewish people. Anyone have any book recommendations, etc?

What kinds of things did your child or teen notice about national events this week? How’d they bring it up to you?

#parentingtips #usparents #momlife #americanmom

Most generous interpretation: this is an idea to fix our tax issue that hasn’t been thought through all the way.

Alternative interpretation: it’s a blatant attack on public schools. 😢

Either way, let’s connect! Who on here is in Montana and wants to see our schools 100% funded?

#montana #publicschools #schoolfunding

Someone in a suburb of Madison ordered my book this morning. 😭 I debated including this note. Is it unprofessional to get a note alluding to current events in an amazon order? Will they be offended or give my product a poor review?

I decided to err on the side of kindness and authenticity. My heart IS with any parent in Madison or elsewhere that is grappling with the consequences of regular school shootings. 💔

#authorsofinstagram #parentsupport #raisingkids #americanmom #endgunviolence

(On a lighter note, this sticky may make it seem like I’m a super cool, professional author, but do not be deceived! Thirty years ago my Dad gave me that sticky pad when I was like six. It has moved with me across country and back. … And sadly, it’s almost out.)

Thanks for being here! 🫶

#Thankful #thanksgiving #supportivecommunity

THANK YOU to @rockymountaincollege for Sponsoring a school!!

100 copies of Listen, Run, Hide and safety-themed bookmarks are ready to go to 95 second graders in Billings! The remaining five copies will be offered to the librarian and teachers for their use or distribution.

It has been amazing to see the community rally behind our kids who are experiencing lockdown drills to ensure they have supportive resources at home too! Today, I’m feeling very thankful to RMC for their generosity and care for our community.

If you are interested in sponsoring a school, or have an idea of someone or an organization that may be, please let me know!

(I’m focusing on my own local community but if you are somewhere else and have interest, let me know! I’d be happy to look into running a similar effort in your area sometime soon.)

#billingscommunity #montanabusiness #billingsleaders #booksforkids #educationmatters #corporategiving #billingsmontana #billingsmt #localgiving #investinkids #businessforgood #sponsoraschool

Just paying the good idea forward. Ask me anything in the comments!

#indieauthor #indieauthortips #bookmarketingtip #sellyourbooks #authorpreneur #bookmarketing #writersofinstagram #authorcommunity #indieauthorlife #bookloversunite #creativebusiness

Shipping two different orders on two different days. Which photo has the cuter cover on the address? ❤️👶🏼

THANK YOU to my new customers this week! Your support means the world and I hope this book helps!!

#indieauthor #picturebook #smallbusiness #bookstagram #momlife #homelibrary

Several of you have asked for a version of this that is easy to share so here ya go. Let me know if you want a DM that you can copy and paste.

We deserve better (which isn’t saying much because this is a pretty low bar 🙄).

#attorneygeneral #mattgaetz #momlife #americanmoms

I call this segment, “lessons in governance from governing chaos.” 😆

#medialiteracy #assessingbias #momlife

How are you feeling about election season?

If boy AND girl reindeer can have antlers, maybe boy AND girl humans can like pink. 🤷‍♀️

Have you had a similar experience? Share below!

#RaisingBoys #ParentingWithLove #LetBoysBeThemselves #GenderNeutralParenting #BoysCanLikePink #CelebrateIndividuality #ParentingUnfiltered #EmpoweredParenting #PositiveParenting #RaisingStrongKids #BreakingGenderNorms #ParentingWisdom #ChildhoodMemories #FamilyLife #InclusiveParenting #TeachingKindness #AuthorLife #MomLife #CarnivalFun #Storytime

I recently waded into new-to-me waters… Writing a novel!!

What I didn’t expect was for creative writing to be equal parts exciting and relaxing! (My therapist believes creative writing activates my parasympathetic nervous system. 🧘🏻‍♀️)

Also, it’s been really fun to pour my creativity into a notebook that already hold’s my daughter’s creativity in the form of those Pokémon drawings. 🥰

Have you ever wanted to write a book? Tell me what about in the comments!

#IndieAuthor #AmWriting #WritersOfInstagram #SelfPublished #WritingCommunity #IndieWriters #AuthorLife #FirstNovel #WritingJourney #SelfPublishedAuthor #IndieAuthorLife #AspiringAuthor #NovelWriting #WIP #WritersCommunity #Storytellers #IndieBooks #BookLovers #SelfPublishingJourney #CreativeWriting #Bookstagram #WritersLife #Bookish #SupportIndieAuthors #WritersOfIG

Sixth grade me would tell you that lunch recesses were at least two times longer than they needed to be.

Immediately following recess, my amazing teacher, Mrs. Fuller, would read us a chapter from a book of her choosing and we 👏 were 👏 always 👏 hooked 👏!

Among the Hidden is the most memorable. I can still recall the ending sentence of certain chapters because the moment of Mrs. Fuller snapping the book closed, and the panic settling in my stomach over having to wait another day, was formative. 😩

I told my family about the book and soon my mom, my two older brothers, and several cousins were all hooked. As of today, nearly all of my younger siblings have read it too.

We recently read Among the Hidden as a family because I HAD to know if it held up twenty years later.

It does, my friends. It does! 🏅

Synopsis: In an America where families are only allowed to have two children, Luke is the youngest of THREE boys. His very existence is illegal! Luke has spent his life hiding which wasn’t too terrible… Until the government cut the woods down that used to surround his home and put new houses there instead. Now Luke is confined to his bedroom, watching the neighborhood just for something to do. Overtime, he thinks he may have found another child in a home where two kids already live…

Parent Guide/Content Warning in the comments because it contains spoilers.

This book gave me an opportunity to talk to my kids about the role of government and the freedoms guaranteed in the US. We explored, “do you think this could happen today? Why or why not?”

The author of Among the Hidden is Margaret Peterson Haddix (@haddixbooks) who also wrote Just Ella and many other children’s books series. Have you read anything by her?

#bookrecommendations #childrensbooks #middlegradebooks #kidsbookshelf #familyreading #readingwithkids #booklovers #middleschoolmemories #booksofinstagram #classicreads

If you don’t know him already, let me introduce you to @ryandbusse!

I’ve been a fan of his ever since I read his book, long before he announced his candidacy for Montana’s governor.

From reading his story I was impressed by his integrity to his values which are similar to mine.

He showed he isn’t afraid to take personal hits (financial or other) in the name of what is right.

In the face of injustice he speaks up when it is easier to be quiet.

Ryan has promised to return our property tax rate to the rate recommended by @govgianforte’s staff. (Why governor Gianforte didn’t do this from the jump is 🤯)

An ardent hunter and fly fisherman, Ryan defends our public lands, ensuring everyone, regardless of wealth, has access to these beautiful, God-given playgrounds.

Ryan believes in public schools and I’m confident he will support us as we strive to fix our funding formula so it meets the requirements of our state constitution.

(Can we take a minute to recognize what a low bar this is?! Why haven’t those currently in power fixed this already?! But Yay for adequately funded public schools! And how sad that many districts haven’t had that since 2019! 😭)

When I’ve met Ryan in person, we have bonded over our love for libraries and the vital role they play in bettering our community.

All that said, you should know there is a downside if Ryan wins…

We might have to wait a long time for his wild game cookbook. 😉😋

Friend, you know the assignment. Join me in voting for Ryan Busse in a few weeks! 🫡✅ #getyourmontanaback

When our governor, @govgianforte disregarded a memo from his staff and refused to lower our tax rate in light of our increased home values (as has been done by Republican and Democratic governors for years past), property taxes skyrocketed all across the state!

Wait. Not ALL across the state. Govenor @govgianforte’s went down.

But people like you and me? Gianforte’s next door neighbors? Ours jumped at a record pace.

And then our state government had a 2.5 BILLION SURPLUS!🤯

Our law makers squabbled to figure out how to spend all these extra funds. 💸

This tax plan was the final nail in the coffin to a local school safety levy I co-chaired.⚰️ Tax bills came out two weeks before ballots and the narrative morphed.

On the doors my sweet neighbors explained to me and my stroller full of kids that they love what the levy would give, but they literally can’t afford it now.

Now, they’re hoping to make ends meet on their fixed income.

While we couldn’t help each other, we shared so much reciprocal solidarity.

Me and my kids safety. Them and their food. Their homes.

Gianforte raised our taxes, against historic, bipartisan precedent and the advice of his staff. And Montana residents paid.

Kids and teachers in our public schools paid when our levy failed that would have addressed our:

🤯expired or lack of AEDs (depending on the school)
🤯outdated lockdown infrastructure (using intercoms to alert the school. speaking of…)
🤯broken intercoms
🤯insufficient resources for our rampant gang and drug problems, and more!

Maybe the levy would have failed without massive tax hikes. Maybe. All we know now is it didn’t stand a chance amid them.

Govenor Gianforte showed us he’ll take care of his own and screw the rest of us.

In his defense, maybe our governor had a hard time understanding the devastating impact his tax plan would have because he personally has a financial buffer in his net worth of nearly $200,000,000. “What’s a couple hundred more a month in taxes really?” 😆😭

And yes, this post is fiery. But you mess with my kids safety for NO good reason and it’s personal. #mamabeast

Stay tuned for part 2 where we’ll talk about why Montana NEEDS @ryandbusse

4) wrap it up by:
✅ letting them ask questions
✅ telling them they can talk to you about anything
✅ reassuring them that you’ll never send them someplace you think is dangerous.

5) when reflecting back on your conversation, return to your goal. Did you achieve it?

What makes you nervous to talk to your kid about lockdown drills?

#americanmom #parenting #publicschools #hardtopics

Someone purchased a copy of my book and asked that it be donated to my local library! 🥹

I enjoyed dropping it off while picking up our items on hold. (Wings of Fire number two for my oldest!)

But also, I’m a bit nervous! How awkward if my librarians hate it and sell it (which is what they do with items that are not right for their collection).

I’m thinking I’ll never look for it. Too scared to find out! 😆🫣

But seriously thank you to everyone who uses the donation feature on my website to send this book to a library!

#indieauthor #library #librariansofinstagram #donated #childrensbook #bookstagram

Today we add a community in Georgia to our list of people our faith failed.

Not because faith is faulty.

But because faith needs works.

And while so many of us want “works”,

So few of us are in positions of power to implement change.

Now parents nation-wide freeze in terror.

And then relief that it isn’t their’s.

And then guilt that they feel relief.

An entire high school of people face the impossible.

Living after their school became a slaughter house.

From one moment to the next.

But not an entire high school.

Four don’t.

Four families are broken.

Never to be whole in this lifetime again.

Four are laid to rest.

As we ironically rely on our work-less, dead faith.

#gunlawsnow #vote #endgunviolence

One Thursday Afternoon by @barbara_dilorenzo_books is a beautiful way to help little ones explore emotions after a lockdown drill.

The reactions in children in America to lockdown drills are as diverse as the children themselves.

Some children are confused. Some are scared. Some are overconfident. Some are nonchalant.

Your child may be any of these or something different.

In One Thursday Afternoon, Ava is scared after a lockdown drill.

Her granddad takes her hiking in the woods where they paint and practice mindfulness.

Granddad tells her about the scary Duck and Cover drills he did in school.

He tells her, ”whether (the world) is scary or beautiful or both, I’m here to listen.”

I mean, come on… 🥹

It is a stunning book that will reinforce the messages you are trying to teach your kid that they can talk to you about anything.

And in case all of that is not enough, @barbara_dilorenzo_books is the author AND illustrator!

As an author myself, I always geek out a little over people who can do both. The genius. The talent!

#parentlife #usamom #bookrecommendations #kidslit #authorillustrator #kidsbookstagram #kidsbooks #emotionalintelligence #supportiveparenting

People often think I wrote my book because I believe all children in the US should learn how to respond to a shooter.

That’s not why.

I wrote my book because children in the US are growing up in a country with mass shootings and everything else that comes with them - including drills.

The ONLY question we get to answer is if they will have the support of their parents or not.

This book creates a natural environment for parents to begin showing up for their kids. It also provides basic lockdown protocol knowledge for parents who feel stuck.

You can buy it on amazon or save a little money by buying it at the link in my bio. All profits donated to gun violence prevention.

#backtoschool #parentingintheus #usamoms #kidssafety #momadvice #parentingtips

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@romrellwrites

Free Resources

Assess your ARS

Today every school in the U.S. should have an Anonymous Reporting System. Does yours? Do they use it well?

Download this kit to identify your district's weak spots.

Download

After Action Review

Is your school drilling smarter, not harder (or more often - goodness!)?

Download this kit to learn about After Action Reviews and how to help your school do them.

Letter Home

Speaking of drills, Katherine Schweit once said, "parents are the missing link."

Does your school empower parents to join in the conversation? Download this sample letter home.

Download

Join my Newsletter?

I send one per month with updates on the novel writing process, my top tips for parents of kids who are experiencing drills, and some extra behind the scenes aspects of life as a mom and author-publisher.

2024 Friend of Education Award Recipient

When librarians nominated me for the BEA 2024 Friend of Education award I was equal parts moved and surprised! This honor, given to just one person each year, recognized my advocacy for intellectual freedom in our schools.

Through public testimony and newspaper op-eds, I worked to ensure facts were included in the decision making process and that fear didn’t drive policy.

About Me

I’ve always loved storytelling! Growing up I entertained my sisters with stories (some true, some fictitious) behind the writing of a song on the radio. Now I enjoy sharing stories about my childhood (some true, some fictitious) to my three children!

My sixth grade teacher helped me discover my love of writing. We focused on persuasive essays so I assumed I loved arguing a point. (But why did I love the warmup exercise where I got to write about my weekend?) In adulthood I worked an office job where I regularly volunteered for any task that involved writing; policy documents, meeting notes, onboarding instructions. If it involved words, let me at it!

Now I am excited to be blending my two loves, storytelling and writing!

Although, my first project blends another interest of mine…

I’m nerd-ily passionate about safety. In A Quiet Place I choked up when Emily Blunt, speaking of her children, desperately murmured, “who are we if we can’t protect them?” Yessss Em, yes! Who indeed? (Yeah, I’m in therapy. Why do you ask?) I made a decently vigilant lifeguard, for a high schooler, and my fully-grown sisters roll their eyes every time I refuse to drive until they click it.

When I am not writing, I enjoy caring for my kids, dating my husband, doing anything in the mountains (except downhill skiing - ugh!), watching the latest season of the bachelor/bachelorette, and, like any good little writer, reading. ;)

But mostly I’m just grateful for you, who took a minute out of your day to visit my website! Thank you for your time, interest, and support!

About

Looking for Guests for Your Podcast?

Writing

What I’ve learned as a children’s author and self-publisher.
Running a successful kickstarter and what I’d do differently.

Parenting

Balancing personal interests while trying to meet the needs of your family.

Drills

How to talk to young kids about school safety without scaring them.
General best practices for lockdown drills and what to do if your school doesn’t meet them.

Other

Have another idea? Let's discuss it further!